Automobile signal



, March 26, 1929.

c. D. BROWN AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL Filed Jan. 17, 1928 Patented Mar. 26, 1929rreo STATES CLARENCE DOUGLAS BROWN, OF BAYSIDE, NEW YORK.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

' Application fi1ed'J'anuary 17, 1928. Serial No. 247,283.

This invention relates to automobile signal devices or indicators. 7

Among the objects of theinvention is to provide a signal, and improvedmeans for mounting and actuating the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal of the characterdescribed adapted to be projected from an automobile, as for example, aclosed .car, to indicate to the traffic the drivers intention, and whichsignal is positioned in an inconspicuous manner when not in use.

A. further object of this invention is the provision of a device of thecharacter mentioned which is adapted tobe mounted on the sliding windowof 1 an automobile, and which will permit unobstructed view through saidwindow, whether or not the device is in signaling position. 1

With the foregoing, and other'objects in view the invention consists inthe arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described andclaimed, and while the invention is not restricted to the exact detailsof construction disclosed orsuggested herein, still for the purpose ofillustrating a practical embodiment thereof reference ishad to theaccompanying'drawings in which like reference characters designate thesame parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is anelevational view of a device embodying the invention and mounted inunoperated position on the window of an automobile. V I

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same and indicating in dotted linesa'portion of the device in operatedposition. t

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, butindicating the device in operated position.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 55 ofFig. 2. iFig. 6 is a fragmentary top View of a modification of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, 10 indicates the upperportion of a closed car window adjacent to the drivers seat, such windowbeing understood to be of that type movable up or down for closing andopening respectively. While such window in favorable weather is usuallydown for purposes of ventilation and easy signaling, it of course isusually closed or ought to be close'd for the comfort of the driverduring wet, cold, or stormy weather, and yet the law requires that thedriver-project his hand from the car body and through or over thiswindow at certain definite times for giving asignal to theotherftraflic.

The signal mechanism proper comprises the representation of a driver'slefthand 11 of any suitable size, material, or. color indication. Asshown herein, however, it comprises a sheet or plate of thin materialsecured in or madea part. of an arm 12 of suitable durable andsufliciently strong material such as bar or sheet metal. The arm 12 isalways horizontal and is mounted conveniently tobe swung 1n a horizontalplane from a position close and parallel to the upper edge of the window10; as in Figs. 1 and 2, or to occupy a position at right angles theretoas in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and in full lines in Fig.- 3 when thesignal hand is to be displayed or brought into view with where it may becarried permanently. At

the top portion or crotch of the clamp is a bracket 15 whichis mainlyflat and lies in a horizontal plane, being connected as by riveting,soldering,orotherwise to the top or crotch portion of the U-shapedclamp.

The said bracket is supported at a desired distance above the top edge.of the window 'by a rubber spacer 15 in the clamp at the 9 crotchthereof. On the inner edge or end,

however, of the bracket I provide a lug or car 16 deflected downward forthe guidance of a flexible member 18 whose upper and oute'r'end is.connected to the forward or inner end 12 of the signal arm atthe point19. The cord or other flexible member 18 leads inward and downward fromthe'point of connection 19 through the guide member v 17 which ismovably car 'ied from the bracket 17, and extends thence along. the

inner side of the window, and terminating in a finger piece or handlesuch as a ball 20 for convenient grasp of the driver adjacent to thewheel.

The bracket extends outward from the clamp 13 and pivoted thereto on avertical pivot 21 is the aforesaid arm 12. -Anysuitable means may beprovided tending-to hold the signal arm inward or-rearward intheposition of Figs. 1 and 2 adjacent to the window 10. To this end Iemploy a contractile spring 22 having its ends anchored at 23 and 24 onthe inner edge-of the bracket and on the arm respectively, the points ofattachment of the spring being-at the rear of the main axis or pivot 21of the arm.

The hand 11 in unoperated position rests at its outer side portion 11 onthe top of the window 10. The hand 11 is then substantially horizontal.On projection of the arm 12 the said hand has free outward slidingmovement along the top edge of the'window 10. Beinghingedly mounted at12, the hand 11 is free todrop into a vertical plane as shown in Fig. 4,when it hasbeen projected sufficiently to be deprived of said window asa support. Thus at all times, both in the operated and unoperatedpositions of the dcvice, the window 10 is unobscured' by the hand.

With the parts constructed and arranged as herein set forth, the mode ofoperation will be understood readily from the following resume. It beingunderstood that the window 10 may be approximately closed or standing inany desired position of elevation, when it is desired for the signal tobe given and which would necessitate ordinarily the projection of thedrivers hand outward through or over the window, he simply .grasps thehandle and draws downward on the 'fiexible member or cord 18, causingthe arm 12 to swing from the normal idle position outward around anangle of approximately 90 or into such position that I sition.

the signal member 11 will occupy the position practically that would beoccupied by the drivers hand if he could project it in the usual way.The hand simultaneously swings from a horizontal into a vertical po-This movemento'f the arm' 12 outward is against the force of the spring22. The pull on the cord 18 may be continued as long as necessary andthe hand that opv erates the cord may at the same time be employed onthe wheel if necessary while the signal is displayed. In any event, whenthe signal is no longer required, the operator simply releases thehandle 20 and the spring 22 automatically returns the arm toits idleposition where it is inconspicuous and in such position as not todisturb the drivers view at any time. The downward position of themember 17 'for the cord insures that the arm will have free swingingadaptability for permanent attachment tothe'window, it of course may beremoved therefrom if dethe screw ina l1ol.e28 'thereof, while the otherend bears against aside 29' of the clamp. To prevent unintended turningof the screw relative to arm 12, the said screw 'may be provided withlugs or extensions 30 which may engage in "corresponding *recesses inthe said arm. 'A fastening 31-may be provided on the shank ofthe-"screwto prevent endwise movement of the same. The said fasteningmaybea-nut" threaded on the screw, or a washer pressed by the said springagainst the crotchportionof *the clamp so as to tightly secure themember 25.

It will be noted that inasmuch as theh'and 11 consists of a lightmaterial,- su'ch,-for example, as canvas suitably -reenforced,"it-willswing slightly in the manner of a'flapabout the hinge line 12, due tothe effect or wind" or vibration. This will attract agreater degree ofattention from the traffic, anol so .on said pivot to move over theupper edge ofthe panel, means to swing the'arnrinto'outward extendingrelation with respect toflthe said panel, and a signal-member made of astiff material directly connected to said arm and depending therefrom,said signal lemher having a weakened line forming a hinge line in andintegral with the s1gnal--mem-.

her, the signal member depending from said arm in the lastmentionedpositionthereof in a substantially vertical plane, saidsignalmember having wiping contactwith the top edge portion of the paneloninward'movement of said arm to cause the signal member to swing aboutits hinge linerinto a substantially horizontal plane above theupper'edge "oLARENcE DOUGLAS BROWN.

of the panel, the signal member resting on and without any danger ofcuttlng or shearing the cord, While the device is adapted

